Cancer has always cast a shadow over Louise Selman's life, ever since she lost a close friend to leukaemia at the age of 15.

Since then her grandmother and aunt have both lost their battles with the disease and her mum has beaten Hodgkin's Lymphoma twice.

But rather than let it ruin her life, Louise has worked tirelessly for the past 17 years in the fight against the big C.

The Cancer Research UK volunteer manager has helped launch numerous fundraisers in the borough and is determined to keep raising awareness.

The 32-year-old former Nower Hill High School pupil said: "Although I think people are starting to be a bit more open about cancer there are still a number of unanswered questions.

"One in three people will be diagnosed with it and that isn't a statistic we can ignore.

"People need to get these things checked out and quickly because I don't think everyone realises just how fast it can spread."

Having taken the decision to help raise money for the charity, Louise has taken part in a gruelling 100-mile trek around the great wall of China, a unique one-mile space hop race and countless Relay For Life races.

In her most recent bid to boost coffers for the charity Louise took to the streets of Harrow in a pink limousine last Tuesday to raise money for breast cancer.

She added: "We managed to raise £1,300 and now we just have to look towards the next fundraiser.

"It is something that has had a big impact on my life and I just wanted to do something to help.

"Although physically the walk around the Great Wall of China was the hardest, the annual Relay for Life is definitely the most gruelling emotionally.

"There is a candle-lit ceremony beforehand, which has made even the strongest of characters break down because it's just so touching.

"You experience the complete range of emotions when you realise you have helped raise money for such an important cause."

This year's Relay for Life, a nationwide event that sees teams take to an athletics track for more than 12 hours through the night, is set to expand in Harrow, with clubs in Sudbury Hill and Canons looking to join in on the fundraiser.

More than £80,000 was raised in last year's event in Harrow and Louise hopes that success will continue when the race comes back to the borough next summer.

Teams can register for the event by contacting Louise.Selman@cancer.org.uk.